IceCube Startup and Construction Project

第一阶段将进行与建造一个被称为冰立方（立方千米探测器）的深冰中微子探测器有关的活动。这是一个MREFC项目。这些活动包括：1)建造一个可移动的增强型热水钻井系统（EHWDS），包括所需的钻井营地设施，适合在南极冰面上钻直径45厘米、深2.5公里的洞，每个钻井季节至少钻16个洞，每个洞需要8000加仑燃料；2)建造专门用于冰内应用的探测器；3)数据采集和数据处理软硬件开发；4)系统工程，钻井系统和冰立方探测器阵列的建设和部署；5)所有系统的测试；6)建立关联管理制度。在进行这项工作时，将考虑到在极端的南极环境中可靠和安全地操作该设备的需要。第一阶段的工作将为整个冰立方建设项目的实施奠定基础，部署80串64个光学模块（由光电倍增管和相关电子设备组成），每个模块将插入使用EHWDS钻出的孔中，冻结在冰上，并与相应的数据采集、数据处理和数据分析系统一起操作。冰立方探测器阵列将通过探测来自宇宙事件的高能中微子的能力，为宇宙及其起源和演化打开一扇新的窗口。教育将是整个冰立方项目的一部分，但不是第一阶段奖励的一部分。

Phase I activities associated with construction of a deep-ice neutrino detector known as IceCube (for cubic kilometer detector) will be carried out. This is an MREFC project. The activities include: 1) construction of a movable enhanced hot water drill system (EHWDS), including the needed drill camp facilities, suitable for drilling 45 cm diameter, 2.5 km deep holes in the ice at the South Pole at a rate of at least 16 holes per drilling season in a fuel efficient manner requiring 8000 gallons of fuel per hole; 2) construction of specialized detectors for in-ice applications; 3) data acquisition and data handling hardware and software development; 4) system engineering for construction and deployment of the drill system and IceCube detector array; 5) testing of all systems; and 6) establishment of associated management system. This work will be carried out taking into consideration the need to operate this equipment reliably and safely in the extreme Antarctic environment. This Phase I work will set the stage for implementation of the full IceCube construction project for deployment of 80 strings of 64 optical modules (consisting of photomultiplier tubes and associated electronics) each that are to be inserted into the holes drilled using the EHWDS, frozen into the ice, and operated in conjunction with a corresponding data acquisition, data handling, and data analysis system. The IceCube detector array will open a new window on the universe and its origin and evolution by its ability to detect high energy neutrinos from cosmological events. Education will be a part of the overall IceCube project, but is not a part of this Phase I award.